Forest bathing at Coed Wen, Penhow Woodlands

Coed Wen is the one part of Penhow Woodlands National Nature Reserve that is open to visitors. It is ancient woodland on a limestone hill, recorded before 1600, and it has been coppiced for centuries, which leaves a mix of open glades and shaded areas. Ash, wild cherry, small-leaved lime and wych elm do well on the lime-rich soil, and some of the oaks are around 200 years old.

Park in the small free parking area on Bowdens Lane and follow the Coed Wen Nature Trail, a waymarked circuit of about a mile. It is short, but steep and uneven in places and slippery when wet, so take it slowly. From February the native Welsh daffodil flowers, smaller than garden ones, followed by wood anemones, then bluebells and primroses in later spring. Fungi come up in damp weather in late summer and autumn. There are no facilities on site.